Service Delivery to Rural Older Adults: Research, Policy and Practice

There are many contemporary challenges experienced by older rural residents and their communities in accessing and providing services. However, the issue is not whether rural older adults have greater service needs compared to their urban counterparts; rather, it is that rural older people and communities have unique and varied characteristics that must be considered when planning and providing services.

Each chapter is dedicated to an important issue related to rural health care and features commentary regarding the current and future challenges they face. The contributors present in-depth analyses of important components of rural systems, including nutrition, health service delivery, rural hospitals, long-term care, caregiving, housing, and transportation. Insight into the complexity and inter-dependency of these issues and useful strategies for solving problems and overcoming barriers are provided.

For researchers, health care practitioners, planners, policymakers, and educators involved in the care of the rural patient, this book provides crucial commentary for present and future improvement.

Information covered includes:

• Health services and related policy issues
• New changes to the Medicare program and how these changes are met with regard to rural health care delivery
• Important selected services in rural America including informal caregiving, housing, and transportation
• Enhancing health care delivery through technology and public policies
• Remarks about service delivery in rural areas

John A. Krout, PhD, is Professor of Gerontology and Director of the Gerontology Institute at Ithaca College.